A van belonging to HCS Furniture was trapped in London’s Rathbone Square mechanical stacking car park for 30 months before being finally released. The car park system, which stacks vehicles on mechanical platforms, failed in December 2022, leaving approximately 40 cars trapped. The Rathbone Square management declined to comment on the incident to the BBC.
The prolonged entrapment forced HCS Furniture to spend nearly £50,000 on renting and then purchasing a new van as they couldn’t retrieve their original vehicle. Steve Davies, representing the family-owned business, noted that their financial reserves were significantly depleted. Despite concerns about the van’s battery condition after the extended period, it surprisingly still had enough charge to start and be driven out of the car park.
The van has since been sent for servicing and further assessment. Lauren Kennedy, a mechanic from Finchley, warned that other vehicle owners in similar situations might face issues with flat batteries, perished tires, and seized brakes. A solicitor suggested that owners might be able to claim compensation for the inconvenience and ‘loss of enjoyment’ of their vehicles, in addition to direct financial losses. However, the liability for compensation remains unclear between Double Parking Systems, which maintains the automated system, and other potentially responsible parties.
The incident highlights potential issues with mechanical car parking systems and the importance of maintenance. It also raises questions about liability in such cases and the potential financial impact on affected vehicle owners.
